June Runner of the Month: Holly Draper
When and why did you start running? I started running in 2011 to try and lose weight.
How long have you been a runner? Since 2011.
First race? White Rock Marathon Relay
Most recent race? Remembrance Run 5K
Favorite piece of gear? My belt that holds my phone
What shoes do you run in? Saucony
Favorite way to cross train? Biking
Best running memory? Crossing the finish line at my first half marathon – Dallas Rock ‘n Roll in 2012.
Bucket list race? An Olympic Distance Triathlon
Favorite race so far? I love doing all of the 5Ks put on by Frisco Running Company with my daughter. I love that they are close, small, and everyone gets a medal.
Do you have a favorite distance? 10K
What is something that most people do not know about you? When I was a kid, I HATED running. I remember shuffling around the track for the weekly 2-mile run we had to do for the middle school volleyball team, finishing dead last each time. Never in a million years did I think I would love running so much as an adult.
Favorite tune to rock out to while running? Centuries by Fall Out Boy
Best part about running? I love how good I feel when I’m running regularly.
Who inspires you? Linda Madigan, for not letting an MS diagnosis stop her!
What has been your biggest challenge so far? I suffered from Achilles’ tendinitis and it sidelined me for a year. It took months of Airrosti treatments, sticking my foot in a bucket of ice water for 8 minutes 3x per day, foam rolling and lacrosse ball-ing to make it bearable but a full year to really go away. I managed to gain a ton of weight and get super out of shape in the process.
Any words of advice? Intervals are not cheating or failing. You don’t have to run the whole thing to be successful. Since my injury, I only do intervals because I’m afraid of getting hurt again. I can run so much faster doing intervals than I ever could just running steady.